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Boston Marathon survivor tosses first pitch

BOSTON -- A Boston Marathon survivor, who tore 90 percent of his left Achilles tendon, threw out a ceremonial pitch before the Red Sox game against the Indians on Thursday night.

Peter DiMartino, 36, was greeted with a standing ovation as he came out on crutches to the pitching mound and fired a pitch to Boston outfielder Jonny Gomes.

Gomes, who was not in the starting lineup, came out with a bat and posed in his batting stance before catching the pitch.

In addition to his Achilles injury, DiMartino sustained burns covering most of his right leg and shrapnel throughout his body.

DiMartino was accompanied to the mound by Chris Troyanos, who helped coordinate the medical response at the bomb site.

Michael Periatt is an associate reporter for MLB.com. Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Brownie Points, and follow him on Twitter @IanMBrowne. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.